CVE-2002-1446 in PKCS 11 Library
Summary
by MITRE
The error checking routine used for the C_Verify call on a symmetric verification key in the nCipher PKCS#11 library 1.2.0 and later returns the CKR_OK status even when it detects an invalid signature, which could allow remote attackers to modify or forge messages.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 07/01/2024
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2002-1446 resides within the nCipher PKCS#11 library version 1.2.0 and subsequent releases, representing a critical flaw in cryptographic signature verification mechanisms. This issue specifically impacts the C_Verify function which is responsible for validating symmetric verification keys within the PKCS#11 cryptographic standard framework. The flaw manifests in the error checking routine's improper handling of verification failures, creating a security bypass condition that fundamentally undermines the integrity of digital signatures. The vulnerability is classified under CWE-284 Access Control, as it represents an improper access control mechanism that allows unauthorized modification of cryptographic operations. From an operational perspective, this weakness enables attackers to exploit the library's verification process, effectively bypassing the cryptographic validation that should prevent message tampering or forgery. The impact extends beyond simple signature verification failure, as it creates a scenario where malicious actors can manipulate data without detection, undermining the core security guarantees that cryptographic systems are designed to provide.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability stems from the library's failure to properly propagate error conditions during the C_Verify function execution. When a signature verification operation detects an invalid signature, the system should return an appropriate error code indicating the failure, typically CKR_SIGNATURE_INVALID or similar status codes that signal to the calling application that the verification has failed. However, in this case, the library's error handling routine incorrectly returns CKR_OK status code regardless of whether the signature verification succeeds or fails. This behavior violates fundamental cryptographic security principles and directly contravenes the expected behavior defined in the PKCS#11 standard, which mandates that cryptographic verification operations must properly indicate success or failure states. The flaw operates at the interface level between the application and the cryptographic hardware or software, creating a pathway for attackers to exploit the inconsistent error reporting mechanism. According to ATT&CK framework category T1552.004, this vulnerability enables credential access through manipulation of cryptographic verification processes, as it allows adversaries to bypass authentication mechanisms that depend on signature validation.
The operational impact of this vulnerability is severe and far-reaching across multiple security domains. Remote attackers can leverage this flaw to perform message forgery operations, potentially modifying sensitive data or creating counterfeit digital signatures that will be accepted as valid by systems relying on the affected library. The vulnerability affects any system that utilizes the nCipher PKCS#11 library for symmetric key verification operations, including secure communication systems, digital signature applications, and cryptographic token management platforms. This weakness particularly impacts environments where cryptographic signatures are used for authentication, data integrity verification, or non-repudiation purposes, as the system will incorrectly accept invalid signatures as valid. The vulnerability creates a persistent security gap that remains active until the underlying library is patched or replaced, making it particularly dangerous for long-running systems. Organizations using affected versions of the nCipher library may experience undetected data tampering, compromised authentication mechanisms, and potential breaches of confidentiality and integrity. The flaw's classification as a remote attack vector means that adversaries do not require physical access or local privileges to exploit the vulnerability, making it accessible to a broader range of threat actors. This characteristic places the vulnerability in the category of high-severity issues that require immediate attention and remediation according to industry best practices for vulnerability management and security operations.